Summertime brunch

Simple meets special with these pleasing pairings

Brunches are a great way to enjoy fresh produce and herbs and the warmer weather. One way to infuse new dishes into your brunch menu is to use quick and customizable pairings with fruit spreads. Combining unique or traditional ingredients with spreads will brighten your brunch and leave a lasting impression among family and friends.

These pairing recipes use just five ingredients or less and are ready in about 15 minutes, so you won't have to wait long to satisfy your guests. For the strawberry and raspberry fruit spreads, you can easily make your own ahead of time by warming the whole fruit about 15 seconds in the microwave, then finely chopping and then mashing up the fruit in a bowl, adding a bit of sugar and a tad of lemon juice to taste. Or you can buy ready-made natural spreads and jams at your grocery store or farmers market.

—FamilyFeatures.com

Avocado Strawberry Grilled Cheese

Natural strawberry fruit spread

Sliced avocado

Goat cheese

Spinach leaves

Bread

With bold, bright flavors like creamy avocado, sweet strawberry, fresh spinach and rich goat cheese, the Avocado Strawberry Grilled Cheese is a perfect pairing. Get started by layering strawberry fruit spread between two slices of bread. Slice the avocado, then layer it along with spinach leaves and goat cheese. From there, prepare as you normally would and serve.

Avocado & Prosciutto Crostini

Orange marmalade fruit spread

Prosciutto

Avocado

Olive oil

Baguette

These irresistible crostini bites make a great brunch dish or party appetizer. Simply brush baguette slices with olive oil, then toast them in the oven for 5–7 minutes at 375 degrees. When they're warm and ready, add a dollop of orange marmalade atop each crostini. Finish with freshly sliced prosciutto and buttery avocado and voila! — you're ready to serve it.

Raspberry Cheddar Omelet

Red raspberry fruit spread

Shredded white sharp cheddar cheese

Fresh basil

Eggs

Begin preparing a three-egg omelet, but add a surprise twist. Once the eggs begin to set, tuck some red raspberry fruit spread in the middle along with a sprinkle of shredded white sharp cheddar cheese and a pinch of fresh basil. Fold it over and prepare yourself for a burst of flavor — the tartness of the raspberry and the sharpness of the cheddar pair up beautifully.